Share this with

Olly Murs has many friends, but he can now finally count Cheryl as one of his very own after knowing her for nine years.

The singer, who found fame on The X Factor 2009, has admitted that it’s taken him ‘years’ to form a friendship with the 35-year-old.

According to him, it was all down to her ‘hard exterior.’

Yikes.

The 34-year-old Essex lad was working in a call centre when he met the Fight For This Love singer while she was judging the show during the sixth series – the same year he came second in the competition.

They met in 2009 (Picture: Getty Images)

Ironically, despite ending up as the runner-up to Joe McElderry, Olly has gone on to have a successful music and presenting career and has now sold more albums than Cheryl herself.

Olly, who later went on to host The Xtra Factor told The Sun: ‘It was quite a hard exterior to break down to get to know Cheryl.

Advertisement

Advertisement

‘She’s been in the industry such a long time and she’s very thick skinned. It took her years to see I’m a genuine person.’

The pair bonded when Olly replaced Dermot O’Leary in 2015 to co-presenter the main show with Caroline Flack and Cheryl was still a judge.

Confessing that he can now count Liam Payne’s ex as a friend, he said: ‘When I worked on X Factor I actually got to know her really, really well. She’s a lovely person.’

The two finally bonded in 2015 (Picture: Getty Images)

But there is some juicy history between the two that many may have forgotten about.

Before they actually became mates, Olly openly admitted to having a crush on Cheryl and even jokingly asked for a date over Twitter back in 2012.

He tweeted at the time: ‘Haha sod it @cherylCole I’ll ask for your number then #cantblameaguyfortrying #worthashot lol haha x.’

And back in 2010, he gushed over the singer, saying: ‘I’m not going to lie, she’s unbelievable. She smells good, she looks good. If I go back on The X Factor this year, I’m going to go straight to her dressing room.’

Ain’t that sweet?

Got a showbiz story?

If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.